Thermostat housing

w-lewis · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2010, 05:47 PM

My 351W has an Finishline aluminum filler/surge tank that is really starting to leak. When I originally bought it, a few years ago, it was to address a leak caused by my previous tank, presumably at the thermostat housing. When I originally installed the Finishline tank, the chrome thermostat housing was slightly warped and I evened it out with a file and that stopped the leak untill recently. After removing it, the same chrome thermostat housing has warped again, this time worse than last time and to the point where it appears it will need to be replaced.
Does anyone on this forum know of a thermostat housing compatible with the Finishline tank?
Walter

Gunner · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2010, 10:48 AM

The key word here is "chrome." I know many people (mostly Mustang owners) who have had endless trouble with 'show' thermo housings, especially the o-ring types. Nothing seems to work as well and as reliably as something close to a stock iron or aluminum housing with a VERY thick base, a good gasket and nonhardening gasket sealant or RTV on both sides.

My ERA-supplied tank has a thick iron (I think) flange and I know of few who have had trouble with that model of expansion tank.

w-lewis · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2010, 10:53 AM

You're right about the chrome. I just found and ordered a stainless one at Summit. It's expensive, but hopefully will work and last.

RedBarchetta · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2010, 11:02 AM

You beat me to it. I was going to point you to Summit as well...they have a good selection. Since I have the same tank as you, I will probably get one of these when mine starts leaking (keeping my fingers crossed).

Please PM me when you get this piece installed so that we can share notes.

Thanks,

-Dean

w-lewis · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2010, 11:17 AM

Will do Dean, when I first installed the Finishline tank (after planing down the chrome housing), it didn't leak and worked fine, for a couple of years. Now the warpage is just too much.

Ron61 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner

The key word here is "chrome." I know many people (mostly Mustang owners) who have had endless trouble with 'show' thermo housings, especially the o-ring types. Nothing seems to work as well and as reliably as something close to a stock iron or aluminum housing with a VERY thick base, a good gasket and nonhardening gasket sealant or RTV on both sides.

My ERA-supplied tank has a thick iron (I think) flange and I know of few who have had trouble with that model of expansion tank.

I have to go along with this. I had the same problem when I had my Cobra and finally took off the chrome O ring housing and got a stainless one that worked great and looked just as good.

Ron

w-lewis · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 05:29 AM

I found and ordered a stainless housing from Summit, but unfortunately, the neck is too long and will not fit with my tank. The neck would need to be trimmed back 1/2 inch or so, but would lose the lip. I hate to spend that much ($155) and still have to modify it so I returned it. So far, I haven't seen any other stainless or aluminim ones that fit a 351W.